In episode 172, Garrett Greco sits down with Michele Smith to break down how arts, culture, and creative infrastructure directly impact economic growth, real estate development, and the long-term identity of cities like Tampa.

Michele Smith is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Arts Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Tampa’s creative economy and positioning the region as a nationally and internationally recognized arts city. She leads cross-sector partnerships between artists, developers, government, and private industry to build sustainable cultural infrastructure, expand access to markets, and elevate creativity as a driver of economic and community development.

He explains:

◼️ Why cities that invest in the arts attract stronger talent, businesses, and long-term growth

◼️ How creative infrastructure increases walkability, property value, and economic resilience

◼️ What role developers and small property owners can play in supporting the arts

◼️ Why authentic cultural identity matters more than copying other major cities

◼️ How Tampa is building the foundation to become a nationally recognized arts destination

0:00:00 - Introduction

0:00:57 - Downtown Arts Center

0:04:04 - Tampa Arts Alliance

0:09:55 - Arts in Development

0:14:25 - Tampa Arts Education

0:17:29 - Affordable Housing for Artists

0:25:37 - Zero Empty Spaces

0:36:59 - Gasparilla

0:49:43 - Art for Small Developers

0:54:45 - Tampa Public Art

0:07:21 - Roundabout Art